Meaning
多情 describes someone who is emotionally expressive, romantic, or prone to developing feelings easily. It can refer to someone who is tender-hearted and sentimental, or sometimes implies a person who falls in love easily or has romantic feelings for multiple people. The word carries both positive connotations (warm, affectionate) and mildly negative ones (overly romantic, unfaithful in love).
Usage
Commonly used in literary contexts, poetry, and romantic discourse. When describing someone as 多情, the connotation depends on context—it can praise someone's warmth and sensitivity or suggest they're fickle in romance. Often appears in the classical phrase 自古多情空余恨 (since ancient times, the sentimental are left with regrets). More common in written than spoken Mandarin.
Examples
- 01他是个多情的诗人，作品充满浪漫色彩。, .He is a sentimental poet whose works are full of romantic elements.
- 02别自作多情了，她只是把你当普通朋友。, .Don't flatter yourself—she just sees you as an ordinary friend.
Characters
Common collocations
- 多情的人a sentimental/romantic person
- 自作多情to flatter oneself, to presume affection
- 多情善感sentimental and easily moved
Antonyms
Origin
Literally means 'much emotion' or 'abundant feeling.' The combination has been used in classical Chinese literature for centuries to describe romantic and sentimental tendencies.